You are here

Blog

InterAction Blog

To engage the NGO community in a frank and constructive dialog about today's most pressing global challenges, InterAction hosts an open community blog featuring insights from InterAction staff, members, and other development and aid professionals.

Blog Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in articles or comments on this blog by do not necessarily reflect the opinions of InterAction or its employees. InterAction also is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in articles written by guest contributors.

Careers in the overall non-profit industry are coveted especially for those inclined to work on the frontlines of social development. These profiles require working at the community level in direct contact with constituents and establishing workable solutions for change. Others allow venturing across political borders addressing the “social” aspects such as reducing poverty, increasing literacy, improving access to health and education - and that makes it all that much more attractive. In which case international social development emerges as the discipline of choice.

Two and a half years ago, the world was arrested by an image—the body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi on a Turkish beach. He and his family came from the northern Syrian town of Kobani, the site of fierce fighting between Islamic State insurgents and Kurdish forces at the time. Many Americans saw both the pain and the unnecessary suffering caused by dangerous and unsupported migration. Compassion and horror flowed in equal measure, though still not enough is changing today. As evidenced by recent U.S.

This January, world leaders gathered in Switzerland to take part in the annual World Economic Forum. One of the topics of discussion was innovative finance for international development. While there were a few exciting and positive takeaways from the interviews, reports, and presentations on this issue, too few of them included voices from the nonprofit community.

One definition of a compact is an agreement among states or between nations on matters in which they have common concern. As the last few years have borne out—with refugee numbers reaching 22.5 million globally—responding to refugee needs and the communities and countries that host them is truly a matter of common concern.

The inaugural year of the Together Project was a success and the members are gearing up to continue growing and advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable organizations in the sector. InterAction launched the Together Project to be a hub of advocacy and solidarity for U.S.-based NGOs that provide vital development and humanitarian relief around the world, and confront discrimination or targeted prejudicial regulations in the U.S.

The 2018 Winter Olympics convene in Pyeongchang, South Korea this month. But the biennial assembly of the world’s greatest athletes may also feature a seamier gathering — of human traffickers and their victims.

Niger consistently ranks as one of the world’s poorest countries, despite enjoying relative peace. But why? Niger’s struggle with poverty is a complex issue, but can be boiled down to a number of factors. Its population is the fastest growing in the world, which puts pressure and and strain on food production and social services. The country is also incredible vulnerable to climate shocks. Drought has caused harvests to fail, triggering food crises that make it hard for already struggling families and communities to catch up.

Tweets from InterAction

InterAction works to be a leader in the global quest to eliminate extreme poverty and vulnerability, strengthen human rights and citizen participation, safeguard a sustainable planet, promote peace, and ensure dignity for all people.